Theatre fans can take a bit of Broadway home with them Sept. 19 at the 18th Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction.

Seen at the 2004 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market: Top: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx at the Avenue Q table. Middle: The 42nd Street table. Bottom: Browsing at the New Dramatists table.
Photo by Andrew Ku

The outdoor fundraiser in Shubert Alley raises money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and features a host of theatrical memorabilia donated by the theatrical community. The day-long event (10 AM-7 PM) also boasts a Celebrity Table, where theatre fans can purchase autographs by, or photos with, their favorite stars from Broadway, Off-Broadway and television serials.

As of press time, those scheduled to take part in the Celebrity Table include the following talents:

The well-attended event also includes a Silent Auction and a Grand Auction (at 4:30 PM), where "unique and priceless items" are auctioned to the highest bidder. For a complete list of this year's Grand Auction items — including a chance to conduct The Phantom of the Opera; a dinner with playwright Wendy Wasserstein; an onstage appearance in Mamma Mia!, The Producers or Rent; tickets to the opening night and cast party of Laugh Whore, Brooklyn, 12 Angry Men, Gem of the Ocean, 'night, Mother, Democracy, La Cage aux Folles or Pacific Overtures; a day at the Tony Awards; and much more — visit the Broadway Cares website at www.bcefa.org or call (212) 840 0770.

Last year's auction raised $512,000 for BC/EFA. A walk-on in the recent NBC series "Friends" brought in the highest bid during that afternoon's Grand Auction: $30,000. The table that earned the most for the charitable organization was run by the United Scenic Designers ($13,000), and the show that collected the highest amount was the Bernadette Peters revival of Gypsy ($10,000).

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s largest industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. Since its founding in 1988 the organization has distributed over $85 million for services for people with AIDS, HIV or HIV-related illnesses.